Photo: AFP
The Catalan regional parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, while the Spanish parliament has approved direct rule over the region, the BBC reports.
Catalan MPs easily approved the move amid an opposition boycott.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had told senators direct rule was needed to return “law, democracy and stability” to Catalonia.
The crisis began earlier this month when Catalonia held a controversial referendum on independence.
A motion declaring independence was approved on Friday with 70 in favour, 10 against, and two abstentions in the 135-seat chamber.
The measure calls for the transfer of legal powers from Spain to an independent Catalonia.
But the Spanish Constitutional Court is likely to declare it illegal, while the US, UK, Germany and France all expressed support for Spanish unity.
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU “doesn’t need any more cracks, more splits”.
Catalan President Carles Puigdemont has called for supporters to “maintain the momentum” in a peaceful manner.
